Speakers included the Hon Louise Upston Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Sydney-based executive director Australasia & Asia for the Cruise Line Industry Association Joel Katz, and Jacqui Lloyd ceo New Zealand Cruise Association, representatives from various cruise lines and several other aligned parties. Attendees heard that New Zealand is back on track when it comes to providing certainty to cruise lines in regards to an infrastructure that really works, although it was agreed that more work certainly needs to be done. This includes predictable access with reliable structure, communication and operational alignment across the entire port environment. However, a notable increase in government support has been recognised and there are high hopes for genuine progress.
Increased collaboration between New Zealand and Australia was also mooted, backed up by Upston who stated that having the New Zealand and Australian stands close to together at Seatrade in Miami this year was a real opportunity to meet and get to know transTasman counterparts. She said she saw real opportunities through stronger alignment with Australia and collaboration was invaluable. “We can’t work in isolation.”
Carnival Group’s Sydney-based senior director destination management Mike Mihajlov said that the reception to cruising in New Zealand was improving and it shouldn’t regress. He added that cruise is factored into all international marketing by Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand would be wise to follow suit.
All up, delegates were impressed with both the turnout and the calibre of the speakers with many stating how up-beat the conference was compared to recent years,
Katz pointed out that the global cruise fleet has 350 vessels and there are a further 86 ships on order, a value equal to $170 billion. Confidence in the sector was ‘running hot’ and the industry had not at all exhausted its potential. “Repeat business of 89.7% and 75.6% of polled potential cruisers open to a cruise, shows a high growth opportunity from both directions.” And new vessels reflect this, catering to a more diverse customer base, both in age and travel experience and expectations, he added.